The Charlotte Democrat., 1887-07-22
Charlotte Democrat.
CHARLOTTE. &c.
Correspondence of the Charlotte Democrat.
CHAPEL HILL, N. c., July 10, 1887.


In Henderson county, z miles west from Hen
dersonville. is Bowman's Bluff, as attractive
place as one can see in the Tar-Heel state
Fourteen miles below Brevard the French
Broad River makes mighty bend OF some two
miles, enclosing some OF the nnest pott0m lanu
to be found along its entire course. Here an
English colony of some 80 odd souls has bought
land and settled down to enjoy the good things
of life undisturbed by Parnellites, chlls, Trying
pans, or other terrible foes to human comfort
raked in was worth having. The colony was
started about years ago by gentleman from
near Birmingham, who having previously con-
Quoted a remunerative farm saw at glance the
advantages of the locality. Nearly 800 acres OF
well nigh level bottom land, watered as one may
say on three sides by the French Broad, and pro-
tected by hills on three sides, the west being
more open.
On the convexty of the curve are beautiful
bluffs, on which the dwelling houses are built.
The greater part of the land was already cleared
and some good houses erected by our own peo-
pie. These were purchased in one way or another,
added to and improved, and inducements offered
to other English families to come over and set
tie. Those that came stayed, and induced others
TO come. They brought good deal OF money
from first to last and were thus able to begin the
new life under advantageous conditions.
They brought books, and pictures, and music
the schoolmaster and the parson. They did MOI
bring the frying pan, and SO far have escaped its
saving machines are to be seen there, and i'm
proved cattle find a rich pasture in the fertile
meadows. The Bluff lies little off the main
road from Asheville to Brevard, as well as from
Asheville to Hendersonville. So that 1t Is moi
much visited, the more's the pity, for prettiel
place is not to be found, nor one which presents
more numerous or better advantages for farming
mining or milling. On the numerous little
streams that make into the River in the vicinity
of the Bluff are some excellent water powers.
On the north fork of Willow Creek on the
land of Mr. Frank Valentine, is one of the bes
water powers l ever saw. The whole volume
of the stream can be diverted by dam fee
high and 30 feet long, and will furnish power
for a go inch turbine. Just at this point th'
stream slides down a solid bed of tough greiss
and in 100 yards has fall of 30 feet. part o.
the power Is now utilized by a small grist and
saw mill, and even with the present crude ma
chinery enforces its possibilities. The country
is full of hard wood timber, labor is cheap
building stone Of excellent quality right at thu
place, and fine wheat and corn land on every
side.
The unfortunate fate of the first steamboat oil
the River between Asheville and Brevard has no
debarred others from considering the plan
Before long another boat will be put on, and tn
rocks of Jump OFF, Mt. Hebron and the Forg
Mountain send back the welcome echo of tn
steam whistle. Although no valuable minerals
have been discovered near the Bluff some pros
pecting work is going on under favorable out
look. 1t is not unlikely that both gold and mic
will be found within a mile of naVIgable water.
The Bluff has daily mail, and services ever
Sunday at the pretty little Episcopal Churcl
just built, and once or twice month at the com
modious Baptist Church long established there.
The land is good, the climate good the water
power good, the timber good the society good
the schools good. 1t is an all-rouDd good place
and 1, for one, hope to prove my faith by M
works. W. B. PHILLIPS.